Strap with inseparable ends



Sept. 21, 1948 j, DQMLER 2,44%885 STRAP WITH INSEPA RABLE ENDS IFiled-July 10, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Sept. 21, 1948. c. A, DOMLER 2,449,885

STRAP WITH INSEPARABLE ENDS 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed July 10, 1946 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 21, 1948 OFFICE WITH. INSEP-ARABLE ENDS Charles Domler,Johnston. R. I.

Application July {10, 1946, I-S'eria'l No. 682,658

6 Claims.

. 1 iMy invention relates to improvements in straps, particularly to thetype in the. entire strap is continuously"assembled in the positiondesired for use so-'that it 'may be tightened in an adjusted positionand releasednand still remain :in said assembled condition.

"Ilhisxapplication coverssan alternative form of vthe broadinventlon'shown in my application, for patent on Str-apSer. No.667,311,"!iled May 4, 1946. Its objects and "function are exactly likethose of the embodiment shown in said ap p'li'catlon with the exceptiontha-t the transverse slit forming the superi-mposable upper and lowerlayers does not extend all the way across the adjustable endflbut isformed by-two spaced vertical slits separating sald adjustable end intoa center portion and side portions terminating in a joined tip wherebysaid center portion maybe depressed between said side portions so thatsaid center portion anay form a lower layer and said side portions an-'u-pper layer with the transverse slit-or space between them in-towhichthe cross bar of the buckle may slide and be limited in its longitudinalmovement just as in said parent application.

An object ofmy invention is tokeep the strap ends continuouslyassembled, so that when "not in use, there wlllnot be any protrudingparts or ends adaptedto be caught-by other objects which would tend toinjure both the strap ends and the other objects, and being in thiscontinuously assembled condition if desired, around an object to beenclosed, safer from liability against loss than if the ends wereseparated and removed.

A further object of my invention ls'to provide such a strap, having aheater appearance than other straps of this description.

A further object of another embodiment of my invention is to provide astrap which looks like an ordinary strap or belt when attached, but inwhich it is impossible tocompletely separate the ends thereof from theirassembled positlon.

While my invention may be employed on a strap adapted to encircle anyhuman limb or body torso or even to join two article portions, such asthe top of an overshoe o'r garment, together, my invention isparticularly adapted for use with straps for Wrist watch bracelets. In-

this art, while many people have attempted to use expansible strapportions made of metal or otherwise. so far as I am aware no one hashitherto provided an-expansible, attractive, flexible fabric strap. Itis decidedly advantageous that the strap be not completely loosened andhave its ends separated until the'watch is entirely free from the Wrist,and as there is normally only one hand to attach or release thewristwatch strap to or from the other hand, there is alwaysthe 2liability of the watch dropping as-the wrist watch strap is attached orreleased andior this reason.

many types of extensible rmetal connectors have bQBI'IEDI'OVidGd.

A further object of my invention, therefore, is

to provide a wrist watch strap which will look like an ordinary flexiblefabric strap, but which has the advantages of the metallic, extensiblemembers ."toprevent the wrist watch from fallin awaycfrom the wristwhite i-t being atta'ched ortdetached. While I am aware that TOtiheIShave attempted'to connect strap ends together for thispurposebyseparateiconnecting means, this connecting means has been iii-the way ofthe proper" connection f the strap ends in use and a 'fur ther object"oi' myinvention, therefore, is'to provide a strap in which the portionswhich retain the strap together are portions of a normal buckleand't'h'e "strap itself.

Further features of my invention relate .to the specific structure ofthe strap ends and standard type'of buckle employed therewith.

These and other such objects cit my invention as may hereinafter=appearwill 'be best unde'r-- stood from a d'escr i-ption of theaccompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments thereof.

In the drawings,

Fig. I is a rear perspective view 'of one embodi merit of strap, having'a wrist watch interposed therein, constructed accordance with myinvention, in released attaching position.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspectiveview thereof in attached position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the attachingportion of the embodiment of the strap endsho-wn in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is adi'sassembled perspective view of the parts of the buckle 1preferably employ with this embodiment.

Fig. "5 is a rear perspective View of anotherem bodiment'oi strap,having a wrist watchinterposed therein, constructed in accordance withmy invention in released attaching position.

Fig. 6. is arear perspectiveview of the embodimentshown in Fig. 5 inattached position.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view throug-hthe attachingportion of the embodiment of strap end shown in .Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a disassembled perspective viewof the parts of the buckle Ipreferably employ in this embodiment.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicatelike parts throughout, all embodiments of my invention shown comprisethe continuously assembled, adjustable and releasable strap 20 and 2Dconstructed in accordance with my invention, of a lengtlrtoetbv circle alimb or body torso, or join two article portions together. Said strap ispreferably constructed of freely flexible material such as leather orfabric. While it may be used to encircle the body torso, an arm or a legor to join two article portions such as the portions of a garment,harness or otherwise together, I have shown it in the drawings asparticularly adapted for use as a wrist watch bracelet strap, having thewrist watch 22 interposed in a standard manner centrally of the topportion thereof when in a position on the wrist, providing an adjustablestrap end 24 or 24 attached to one end of the wrist watch and a fixedstrap end 26 or 26 attached to the opposite end of the wrist watch 22,although insofar as this invention is concerned, while particularlyadapted for use with wrist watches to prevent them from dropping offwhile being attached or detached, it may be used in any type of aflexible strap for any purpose or on disconnected strap ends separatelyattached to different portions of an article or articles. As previouslyexplained, in the embodiments shown in this application of my broadinvention, the adjustable strap end is not technically transverselysplit for a substantial distance longitudinally thereof intotransversely separable upper and lower portions or layers terminating ina joined tip, but the adjustable strap end 24 or 24' is vertically slitnear the end thereof for a substantial distance longitudinally thereofby the spaced vertical slits 21 or 21' forming the center portion 32 or32 and the side portions 30 or 30' terminating in a joined tip 34 or 34'whereby said center portion may be depressed between said side portionsso that said center portion may form a lower layer 32 or 32' and saidside portions an upper layer or 30' with a transverse slit or space 28or 28' between them in use. Said center portion 32 or 32' has a series36 or 36' of longitudinally spaced adjusting holes 38 or 38 therein.

I also provide a standard type of buckle 40 or 40' on the end of thefixed strap end 26 or 26'. In all embodiments, said buckle has the sidebars 42 or 42' and the preferably detachable rear bar 44 or 44' adaptedto have the opposite or fixed strap end 26 or 26 attached thereto in anysuitable manner such as shown by having the tip of the strap woundaround it and sewn thereto, and a forward cross bar 46 or 4B permanentlyretained in use in said transverse slit by said tip 34 or 34, said rearbar being preferably removable for adjustment and release longitudinallyrearwardly thereof. Said rear bar 44 or 44' has a forwardly extendingtongue 48 or 48, as usual mounted thereon, if desired, the strap beingcut away as at 50 or 50' for this purpose to pivot upwardly to beinserted through a selected hole 38 or 33 in said adjustable strap end24 or 24' and downwardly in adjusted position against said forward bar46 or 46'.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, the forward cross bar 46 comprisesthe front bar of the buckle 40. In the embodiments shown in Figs. -8,the forward bar comprises the preferably detachable center cross bar 46.In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5-8, an extra cross bar 52' isinterposed in front of the center cross bar 46' so that the device mayfunction as the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, but with the usual frontcross bar 52' overlying the connected strap 20' as shown in Figs. 5-7.

If desired, the fixed strap end 26 or 26' may be provided with one ormore keeper loops 58 or 58' to retain the tip 34 or 34' of theadjustable end24 or 24' of the strap therein when in attached ordetached position, rearwardly of said buckle rear cross bar 44 or 44'.

Thus, the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 has two cross bars only, namely,the rear cross bar 44 and the forward cross bar 46, which in use isalways contained within the transverse slit or space 28 formed betweensaid separable portions. This same feature is present in the embodimentshown in Figs. 5-8, but as in these embodiments the buckle is providedwith the supplemental front cross bar 52', it is apparent as shown inFigs. 5-7 that this superimposed front cross bar 52 will lie on top ofthe strap to provide an effect similar to the usual effect.

If desired, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the side walls 42 or 42' of thebuckle may be arcuately bent forwardly to form a guide trough or theymay comprise the usual flat or slightly curved formation as shown in theother embodiments in said parent application.

I have shown in the drawings, a rear cross bar 44 or 44', which ispreferably detachable to aid in the assembling of the device. The centercross bar 46' in the embodiment shown in Figs. 5-8 may also be madedetachable. The structure of the detachable cross bars 44 or 44 or 46'is well known in the art and comprises the hollow tubes 68, the hubs 60,having pintles 62 projecting outwardly through holes 64 centrally of theclosed outer ends 66 of said hollow tubes 68, said hubs being freelyslidable axially of said tubes 68 and being normally separated from eachother by the expansion springs 10 contained within the tubes. It isapparent that these pins may be removed at will from their aligned holesin the side bars, particularly. the forward cross pin 46' in theembodiment shown in Figs. 5-8 for detachment of the adjustable end 24'of the strap from the buckle 40, or if desired one end of the lowerlayer may be detachably secured to the upper layer by any suitable meansfor this purpose.

When attaching the strap, it may first be stretched to its full extentas shown in Fig. 1, by bringing the forward cross bar 46 so that itabuts the tip 340i the adjustable strap end 24 and lies in the extremeouter end of the transverse slit '28, being in a maximum extensibleposition. When the Wrist watch strap is thus inserted on the wrist, thetip 34 may be lifted upwards and pulled backwards until the tongue 48fits in a selected adjusting hole 33 with the tip of the tongue 38resting against the forward cross bar 46, comprising the front cross bar46 as shown in the emhodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 and the center crossbar46' in the embodiment shown in Figs. 5-7, when the tip34 of the strapend 24 may be inserted underneath the keeper loops 58 as shown in Figs.2 and 3.

It is apparent that I have provided a novel type of continuouslyassembled adjustable and releasable strap adapted for the various usesand with the various advantages set forth above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specificembodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap comp-risinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center portion and side portions terminating in a joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjusting holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may for-m a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a forward cross barpermanently retained in said transverse slit by said tip movable foradjustment and release longitudinally thereof, and a detachable rear barhaving the opposite strap end fixedly secured thereto and having aforwardly extending tongue mounted thereon to pivot upwardly to beinserted through a selected hole in said adjustable strap end, anddownwardly in adjusted position adjacent said forward bar, and a straptip keeper loop on said fixed strap end rearwardly of said buckle rearbar.

2. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap, comprisinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together, having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center portion and side portions terminating in a joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjusting holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may form a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a forward cross barpermanently retained in said transverse slit by said tip, movable foradjustment and release longitudinally thereof, and a rear bar having theopposite strap end fixedly secured thereto and having a forwardlyextending tongue mounted thereon to pivot upwardly to be insertedthrough a selected hole in said adjustable strap end and downwardly inadjusted position adjacent said forward bar.

3. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap, comprisinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together, having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center portion and side portions terminating in a joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjusting holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may form a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a front cross baradapted to overlie said upper layer, a detachable center cross barpermanently retained in said transverse slit by said tip, movable foradjustment and release longitudinally thereof, and a detachable rear barhaving the opposite strap end fixedly secured thereto and having aforwardly extending tongue mounted thereon to pivot upwardly to beinserted through a selected hole in said adjustable strap end anddownwardly in adjusted position against said center cross bar, and a.strap tip keeper loop on said fixed strap end rearwardly of said bucklerear bar.

4. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap, comprisinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together, having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center port on and side portions terminating in a joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjustil'lg holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may form a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a front cross baradapted to overlie said upper layer, a center cross bar permanentlyretained in said transverse slit by said tip, movable for adjustment andrelease longitudinally thereof, and a rear bar having the opposite strapend fixedly secured thereto and having a forwardly extending tonguemounted thereon to pivot upwardly to be inserted through a selected holein said adjustable strap end anddownwardly in adjusted position againstsaid center cross bar.

5. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap, comprisinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together, having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center portion and side portions terminating in a, joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjusting holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may form a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a forward cross barpermanently retained in said transverse slit by said tip, movable foradjustment and release longitudinally thereof, and a detachable rear barhaving the opposite strap end fixedly secured thereto and having aforwardly extending tongue mounted thereon to pivot upwardly to beinserted through a selected hole in said adjustable strap end, anddownwardly in adjusted position against said forward bar, and a straptip keeper loop on said fixed strap end rearwardly of said buckle rearbar, said buckle side bars having portions projecting outwardlytherefrom to form trough walls to keep the belt ends in alignment.

6. A continuously assembled adjustable and releasable strap, comprisinga flexible strap of a length to encircle a limb or body torso or jointwo article portions together, having an adjustable end vertically splitby spaced vertical slits for a substantial distance longitudinallythereof into a center portion and side portions terminating in a joinedtip, said center portion having a series of longitudinally spacedadjusting holes therein, whereby said center portion may be depressedbetween said side portions so that said center portion may form a lowerlayer and said side portions an upper layer with a transverse slit orspace between them, and a buckle having side bars, a forward cross barpermanently retained in said transverse slit by said tip, movable foradjustment and release longitudinally thereof, and a rear bar having theopposite strap end fixedly secured thereto and having a forwardlyextending tongue mounted thereon to pivot upwardly to be insertedthrough a selected hole in said adjustable strap end and downwardly inadjusted position against said forward bar, said buckle side bars havingportions projecting outwardly therefrom to form trough walls to keep thebelt ends in alignment.

CHARLES A, DOMLER.

